Podcast is better

I like The Minimalists — a lot. They’ve changed my life. As for this books of the “essential” essays cultivated from their blog, it was just all right. They are short and good for reading one or two before bed, and I think it may be too easy to dismiss some of the essays without noticing that each one is often just a brushstroke in a broader picture. And that broader picture is awesome. But, honestly, I get more out of their podcast than I did from this book. Grade: B

Narration is excellent.

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Redundant With Patches of Golden Truth

If you know anything about minimalism it is a philosophy that is inherently minimalistic. The essays is this book are more like a personal journal of particularly Joshua Fields Millburn in which he has to repeatedly remind himself of what is truly important in life. While I can see the necessity and value of such an exercise in his own life it presents itself as quite redundant for the listener. The most enjoyable and impactful aspect of the book by far are the stories of others practicing forms of the minimalist philosophy which brought so much meaning to their lives. Not the impersonal mantras. My advice: don't buy the audiobook. Buy a physical copy, read it slowly over months, and then give it away. As a kind of book of proverbs, perhaps it will be perceived as less tedious by the end.

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Minimal!

The authors should take their own advice. This book could have and should have been condensed to one magazine article. After an hour, I couldn't bare it any longer, even in rush hour traffic.

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Eye opening. Maybe my favorite for this year!

Hope that helps me on my way to a more meaningful life. Thanks for the authors I will definetly read this again, and I already made huge differences.

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Powerful

In addition to their podcasts this book makes you analyze and question so many aspects of your life you never would have even given a second thought to. Thank you for sharing your lives and ideas, it has help myself and my family take positive steps forward to have a more meaningful and intentional life.

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Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank-you

I've been following the Minimalists for some time now. This book articulates the many reasons for the impact they have had on my life and so many others. Beautifully written.

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Not great, but not horrible.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator is just not made for this kind of work. I think I would have preferred a robot voice reading these articles.

Would you be willing to try another one of Justin Malik’s performances?

I have already purchased another book where he is the narrator. I will get through it, but would not search him out.

Any additional comments?

A little preachy, but good at times to get the ideas across. I like the frank speaking at times, but it sometimes comes across as a few bros trying to just toss it out there for other hipster potential converts. But not so bad overall.

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Same message read a different way

Get the first book it’s better. In my opinion Leave this one and save yourself the money.

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Couldn't finish

I tried, but couldn't finish this book.  I consider myself open minded and I enjoy learning about different lifestyles and self help methods.  But this book was different.  Instead of empowering and exciting, or even thought provoking, I found the authors' tone condescending and insulting.
There was constant contradiction and widespread generalization.  The authors seem, quite ridiculously, to think that they are experts on a wide variety of subjects including diet, exercise and business. They imply that the average American has a miserable, unfulfilling existence.
If this book is a compilation of their best essays, it's safe to say I won't be reading any more material from these authors.
I also got super tired of the narrator saying "quote unquote".  

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Soapbox

So I liked the some of the concepts of this book, but too much soapboxing for me.

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